Sign-frame.



Patented July 3|, |900.'

E. M. B'IGSBY.

SIGN FRAME.

(Application led Mar. 9, 1900.)

(No Mode'l.)

WITNESS/:"8:

' me STATES PATENT -Frrcng` Ernst. in. messi?, or DETRIT, MICHIGAN;

sl'cN-FRAM.

sPEcIF'IcA'rIoN refilling pm Letters Patent No. 654,936, dated Jury 31, 1960. Application inea Mami 9, 1900. serai No. 8.003. oto ninas.)

To all whom t may con/cern:

Be it known that I, ETI- TEL M. BIGsBY, asubject of theQueen of Great Britain, residing in Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sign Frames, of which the following is a speciiication.

This invention relates-to an improved signframe that is intended to be used in storessuch as dry-goods stores, clothing-stores, and other places in which goods are to be marked clearly and legibly with the price or in which changeable signs are to be put up-so as to indicate the article sold or the price of the same, said sign-frame being so arranged that the individual letters or iigures can be readily put together and changed at will with great facility; and the invention consists of a sign-frame which comprises an oblong supporting-frame of suitable spring-wire, letters or figures provided at their backs with means for attaching them to said frame, and prongs on said wire frame arranged to projectfrom the same, so as to be attached to the goods for which the sign is to be used.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l represents a front elevation of my improved sign-frame; Fig. 2, a rear elevation of a portion of the same enlarged shown arranged with two letters; and Fig. 3 is a vertical trans verse section through the frame and sign on line 3 3, Fig. 2.

Similar letters of reference indicate correspending parts.

Referring to the drawings, A represents an oblong supporting-frame which is preferably made of spring-wire, the ends of which are connected by soldering, twisting, or otherwise, and the side bars u. a of which are parallel throughout, while the ends merge into the end bars a2 a2, which directly connect the ends of said side bars, so that angularly-bent corners a3 are formed withoutany shoulders or projections. The frame A is provided with one or more pairs of prongs d, that project in inclined backward direction from the same, so that it can be attached to the goods to be displayed.

To the front part of the wire frame A is applied a number of letters, figures, or other characters B, indicating either the name or character of the goods or the price of the same, said letters, figures, or other characters beingpreferably made of cardboard or other `suitable material. The figures or other charwire frame A and the lower hook to the lower a bar of the wire frame, said hooks being bent and curved in opposite direction, so that the fastening-hooks of the letters can be sprung over the parallel side bars on pressing them slightly toward each other and then permitting the side bars of the frame to return to vtheir normal position, whereby the letters can be readily applied to the frame.

A frame of the oblong shape shown and described will be light and simple, and inasmuch as the end bars directly connect the ends'of the side bars in such a manner as that they are no longer than the space between the side bars no shoulders or like obstructions will be formed at the angularjuncture of said bars, thus permitting the letters to be slid or slipped onto the ends ofthe oblong frame, which method of applying theY letters to the frame-eas, for instance, where the frame is rather rigid or where it is quite iiexible-is preferable. A very iexible frame would act in such a way when some of the letters are in position that if others were sprung on the movement of theiside bars toward each other would perhaps result in the falling oif of some of those already in position.

The fastening devices are applied in any suitable manner to the backs of the letters, figures, or other characters either by means of glue or any suitable fastening means. 'Either the name or character of the article for whichthe sign is to be used is set up in suitable letters on the wire frame or the Iigures forming the price applied thereto, in connection with the dollar-mark or other signs, for which purpose the 'required number of letters and figures is furnished so as to make up any desired sign required, which is accomplished in a quick and convenient manner. In some cases the sign is not to be attached to the goods, in which casein place'ot` the pointed prongs suitable suspension-hooks may be used, or the frame may be provided with a stay in form of an easel, or it may be made to rest directly against the goods.

The advantages of my improved sign-frame are that signs required in a store can be readily made up from the letters, gures, or characters on hand, in connection with a number of supportingframes of diiierent sizes, an

outfit consisting of a number of frames and letters and characters required for making up the signs being furnished to the parties lusing the signs, said outfit being comparazo Patent, is-f,

1. A sign-frame. consisting` of an oblong supporting-frame, composed of wire, and the end bars of which are not longer than the space between the side bars, vboth ends of said frame being free from any projectionsor obstructions, and letters, igures or other characters having yhooks at their rear, adapted to be slid or strung ontol the frame lengthwise thereof, substantially as set forth.

2. A sign-frame, consisting of an oblong supporting-frame, composed of wire, and the end bars of which vare not longer than the space between the side bars, prongs projecting from said frame, both ends of said frame, at each side of said prongs, being free from any projections or obstructions, and letters, figures or other characters having hooks at their rear, adapted to be slid or strung onto the frame lengthwise thereof, substantially as set forth. f

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my namein pres-Y ence of two subscribing witnesses.

ETHEL M. Bresnv.l

Witnesses:

PAUL GOEPEL,

M. H. WURTZEL. 

